ANTHONY WILLIAMS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR GLOUCESTER SEXUAL OFFENCES AND RAPE

A man identified as Anthony Williams, aged 40, has seen his prison sentence significantly increased following a series of heinous sexual offences committed in Gloucester. The case, which involved multiple victims and a pattern of predatory behavior, has garnered considerable attention from law enforcement and the public alike.

Williams initially targeted women by masquerading as a professional photographer, establishing a facade that allowed him to approach and manipulate his victims under the guise of offering photography services. His method involved messaging women through Instagram, where he operated a profile linked to a photography business, inviting them to participate in photoshoots. This approach was used to gain their trust and facilitate his criminal activities.

In November 2021, the first woman came forward to police, reporting that Williams had sexually assaulted her during one of these photoshoots. Her report prompted a broader investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team. As the inquiry progressed, additional victims were identified, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over a six-month period in 2021.

Following the initial report, a second woman also made a formal complaint, which led to Williams’s arrest. During police interviews, Williams admitted to digitally penetrating one of the women consensually but denied any non-consensual acts involving the second woman. He provided a statement claiming that any physical contact, such as adjusting clothing, was not intended to be sexual and was accidental. However, these claims did not align with the evidence presented in court.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Williams’s home studio located on Lobleys Drive in Brockworth. During the search, they seized documents including contracts for photoshoots with several other women, indicating a broader scope of his activities. Efforts by investigators to contact all potential victims led to the identification of seven additional women, one of whom was raped by Williams in July 2021.

All victims, who reside across different parts of the country, participated in police interviews conducted via video link, where they detailed the abuse they endured. These testimonies were subsequently played in court to establish the extent of Williams’s misconduct.

Evidence revealed that Williams’s offending included physically assaulting women during photoshoots, such as placing his hand around a woman’s throat, and making sexually inappropriate comments. In some instances, he was observed to have an erection during sessions and would manipulate women’s clothing without their consent, leading to sexual assaults. One particularly disturbing incident involved him raping a woman after a photoshoot.

Throughout the trial, Williams took the stand and attempted to justify his actions, claiming that any physical contact was unintentional and that some acts were consensual. Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of all charges on October 11, 2024, including one count of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and 14 other sexual offences involving touching without consent.

Williams’s criminal history includes previous convictions for theft and fraud, which added to the severity of his sentencing. Initially, he was sentenced to eight years in prison on January 22 of this year. However, this sentence was challenged under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme, and the Attorney General referred the case to the Court of Appeal. As a result, his sentence was increased to 12 years.

In addition to his prison term, Williams was subjected to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from engaging in any paid or unpaid activity involving the taking of photographs or videos of members of the public using any device. He will also remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life.

Following the announcement of the sentence increase, the first woman to report Williams spoke publicly about the profound impact of his actions. She expressed that the damage inflicted upon her was irreparable, describing how her confidence was shattered and how she developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She recounted entering his studio feeling confident and hopeful about her modeling aspirations, only to have her life turned upside down by his abuse. She emphasized her pride in having come forward and in the fact that Williams will remain incarcerated as her daughter approaches adulthood, helping to protect other women from similar harm.

During the sentencing hearing, statements from all nine women were read aloud, each detailing the emotional and psychological toll of Williams’s offending. Their testimonies underscored the devastating effects of his actions and reinforced the importance of justice being served in this case.